Now that Framber Valdez has agreed to a cope with the Tigers, all of the marquee free brokers are formally off the board, which suggests the offseason is nearing its finish. Zac Gallen is the final accessible free agent who would matter to the vast majority of Fantasy leagues. Others like Lucas Giolito, Chris Bassitt and Zack Littell might need some low-end enchantment, however you get the thought. Slim pickings.
Nonetheless, if something occurs that is of consequence to Fantasy Baseball, the place Chris Towers and I will probably be commenting on it: proper right here within the Offseason Tracker.
Paul Goldschmidt indicators with Yankees
The main focus right here is not actually on Goldschmidt, who’s nicely into his decline and more likely to serve simply as a platoon bat this yr. The issue is who he is platooning with. Ben Rice has been everybody’s favourite breakout choose largely as a result of he was anticipated to play first base on daily basis, however that is clearly not going to occur now. And there have been indicators. Again in January, supervisor Aaron Boone re-opened the door to Rice enjoying some catcher this yr, a place the place he is already eligible in Fantasy, so it is potential that beginning catcher Austin Wells, who’s additionally a left-handed hitter, would be the one who sits extra usually in opposition to lefties. However that pondering is simply too wishful for the collective enthusiasm surrounding Rice to stay on its runaway course. Since Jan. 1, he is been a top-50 participant in NFBC leagues, going as early as thirteenth in certainly one of them.
However for me personally, that is excellent news. I really like Rice’s expertise as a hitter and assume he was solely scratching the floor of his potential throughout his breakthrough final yr. Imagine it or not, he was truly one of many largest underneathachievers, based on Statcast, which pegged him for a .283 batting common and .557 slugging proportion. My very own enthusiasm, then, was tied much less to him taking up a full-time function, which I used to be at all times skeptical of, than his continued enchancment as a hitter. This growth, if it depresses his worth to the diploma I believe, will put him again in my worth vary. He is my No. 5 catcher and a top-75 participant general.
Framber Valdez indicators with Tigers
The final marquee free agent lastly has a house, becoming a member of up with a contender on a short-term, excessive common annual worth deal (three years, with the choice of opting out after two). It is the type of contract that might counsel market skepticism, which can also be modeled by Valdez’s early ADP in Fantasy (a hundred and first general on NFBC since Jan. 1). That quantity is certain to go up simply by advantage of him having a staff now, however he was being drafted about twice as early final yr. It would not go up that a lot.
But it surely ought to. I personally assume his suppressed worth is an overreaction to a poor last two months by which he put collectively a 6.05 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and seven.1 Okay/9 in 10 begins — not nice, no. However his velocity was regular, and he even recorded swinging strikes at his typical fee. So what occurred? Judging by his pitch choice, he appeared to lose the texture for his finest pitch, the curveball, which might occur for stretches in earlier years as nicely. He introduced it again for his last begin (45 p.c utilization) Sept. 25 and struck out 10 over seven one-run innings, which ought to have put everybody’s thoughts relaxed. You understand who appears relaxed? A.J. Hinch, Valdez’s former supervisor in Houston and now present supervisor in Detroit. You do not assume he weighed in on this deal?
Valdez needs to be positive. He’ll proceed to work deep into video games and have a robust help solid backing him. He’ll stay one of many sport’s finest ground-ball pitchers and a reasonably good bat-misser as well. His underlying traits stay largely unchanged from two years in the past, when he had a 2.91 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, and I feel such an consequence stays on the desk. I nonetheless rank Valdez as a top-20 beginning pitcher (top-15 in Head-to-Head factors) and am solely heartened by this signing. –Scott White
Brendan Donovan traded to Mariners in a three-team deal
Donovan was lengthy rumored to be on the transfer, and now it is lastly taking place. And sadly, he lands in arguably the worst hitting park in baseball in T-Cellular. It has unforgiving dimensions, however extra concerningly, some gamers simply can not seem to see the ball nicely in T-Cellular, resulting in considerably worse offensive outcomes than you would possibly in any other case anticipate. You may see it once you dive into the park issue information, with BaseballSavant.com giving T-Cellular a 117 Park Issue for strikeouts, by far the best in baseball.
After all, in principle that should not be an enormous situation for Donovan, who is likely one of the higher contact hitters on the market, coming off a 13% strikeout fee and .287 batting common. However he does not do a lot else moreover hit for common (10 homers, three steals in 118 video games in 2025), so any slip in that class could be particularly dangerous. Donovan figures to occupy a main spot in a reasonably good Mariners lineup, and his present 302.9 ADP appears like a very nice worth even given the park downgrade. Particularly since he appears seemingly so as to add third base eligibility to his present second base, making him helpful at each of the weakest spots in Fantasy in 2026.
One constructive consequence of this deal is that it provides prospect JJ Wetherholt the within observe for the beginning second base job in St. Louis. Wetherholt, the seventh choose within the 2024 draft, made such simple work of the excessive minors final yr that he in all probability ought to have gotten the decision then, however the Cardinals’ infield was overloaded. Between this transfer and the one which despatched Nolan Arenado to the Diamondbacks earlier this offseason, the Cardinals have cleared the way in which for each Wetherholt and Nolan Gorman.
Jurrangelo Cijntje is essentially the most attention-grabbing of the prospects going again the Cardinals’ manner, being a change pitcher, although he is a lot additional alongside as a right-handed pitcher and will find yourself ditching the opposite arm’s growth to hasten his path to the majors. He reached Double-A in his first season as a professional and struck out 29.7% of opposing hitters as a righty with wonderful management, so he might transfer shortly in the event that they stick with him solely pitching righty. The Rays have been additionally concerned within the deal, getting light-hitting infielder Ben Williamson from the Mariners. –Chris Towers
Eugenio Suarez indicators with Reds
The massive concern for Suarez was that he’d wind up again in Seattle, the place sure hitters have reported difficulties seeing the ball and the place Suarez himself has now twice didn’t carry out as much as his typical requirements. That state of affairs appeared more and more seemingly after the Diamondbacks traded for Nolan Arenado in January. Luckily, one other of Suarez’s former groups was lurking within the background, and it is essentially the most favorable touchdown spot of all, Cincinnati.
Cincinnati is the place he initially hit a career-high 49 house runs in 2019, so we have now proof of idea. He in fact matched that quantity final yr, however Statcast suggests it will have been 54 had he performed each sport in Cincinnati. Keep in mind additionally that he was batting .248 previous to being traded to Seattle final yr, so I feel you may anticipate him to return to a mid-.200s batting common together with 35-plus house runs. That makes him the clear No. 6 for me at third base, and contemplating how skinny that place is, I’ve even pushed him into my prime 60 general.
There’s an unlucky trickle-down impact to this signing, although. Sal Stewart, a rookie with vital offensive potential, as soon as once more has competitors for at-bats. The elimination of Gavin Lux seemingly freed up DH duties for him, however that is the place Jeff Passan has mentioned Suarez will primarily play. Stewart has some versatility — having performed all of first, second and third base within the minors — however he could not have a spot to name his personal till certainly one of JJ Bleday, Ke’Bryan Hayes and even Spencer Steer falters. The value is low sufficient that I would nonetheless take my possibilities, although.
Luis Arraez indicators with Giants
For a minute there, it regarded like Arraez might need to accept a part-time function someplace, his defensive ineptitude overshadowing his three batting titles. Luckily, a staff with an actual second base want in the end stepped up and gave him the job on a one-year, $12 million deal. He would possibly get to hit leadoff for the Giants, too, seeing as they haven’t got an apparent selection to take action.
Final yr was the primary in 4 that he did not win a batting title, hitting “solely” .292, however the transfer to Oracle Park could assist with that. Whereas it is often called a pitcher-friendly park general, it charges because the sixth-best venue for singles over the previous six years, and singles are Arraez’s specialty. His lack of all the things else drags down his Fantasy worth, however batting common may be an particularly tough class to fill late. He’ll be all of the extra helpful as soon as he qualifies at second base, seeing as he’ll enter 2026 with solely first base eligibility.
Seranthony Dominguez indicators with White Sox
Usually, a Seranthony Dominguez signing would not warrant a point out right here, however with the transfer comes the expectation that he’ll shut, a minimum of if Jeff Passan of ESPN is to be believed. So I assume we should always speak about it. Dominguez has a checkered historical past as a more in-depth, along with his profession excessive of 16 saves coming as a rookie in 2018. He would undertaking for greater than that because the White Sox start to take steps again towards respectability, and the two-year deal he signed provides us some hope he will not merely be commerce bait.
However is he actually their best option to shut? He has at all times run excessive strikeout charges, and the introduction of a splitter in 2025 made him much more of a bat-misser whereas giving him an efficient counter in opposition to lefties. He additionally struggled with walks like by no means earlier than, leaving him with a WHIP unbefitting of a more in-depth. Grant Taylor, who debuted final yr, should be the White Sox’s nearer in ready, however the Dominguez signing builds in slightly extra wait time and offers Fantasy Baseballers a thrifty selection for, hopefully, 20-plus saves. –Scott White
Mackenzie Gore traded to Rangers
Gore appeared like one of many prime “change of surroundings” guys within the league, and now he will get simply that. The Rangers have had loads of success with their pitchers recently, and so they have each the ballpark and supporting solid to get essentially the most out of them, a pleasant change for Gore, who performed within the Twelfth-best hitter’s park in baseball and had one of many worst defenses within the league backing him up the previous few years.
After all, Gore’s largest impediment has been himself in recent times. He’ll have these stretches the place he appears like an absolute ace, together with within the first half of final season, however then he’ll inevitably regress, leaving his end-of-season numbers within the type of place that may scare Fantasy gamers off. However the upside right here is obvious. Gore has a few of the finest stuff in baseball, together with an arsenal the place all 5 of his pitches had an above-average swinging strike fee. He nonetheless wants to search out consistency along with his command, however he is in a considerably higher scenario in Texas than he was earlier than, so if he have been ever going to interrupt out, now’s his probability. I am shopping for Gore within the 160 vary of drafts with the hope that Texas will get essentially the most out of him. —Chris Towers
Freddy Peralta traded to Mets
Peralta slides proper into the highest of the Mets rotation with this transfer. He is not your prototypical, innings-eating ace, however he is sometimes superb when he is on the mound. Peralta, in fact, already prices fairly a bit in Fantasy drafts, along with his ADP as much as 69.1 in NFBC drafts within the month of January. I feel that is in all probability an overpay based mostly on final yr’s inflated win complete and unsustainably low ERA (2.70 ERA in comparison with a 3.47 xERA), however that does not imply I feel Peralta is more likely to be a nasty choose. In the meantime, the Brewers’ return of Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, two consensus top-100 prospects, is more likely to stir Fantasy curiosity as nicely. For a extra full breakdown, try my full-length article. –Chris Towers
Cody Bellinger indicators with Yankees
This was at all times the inevitable consequence. The Yankees wanted Cody Bellinger, and Cody Bellinger suits the Yankees higher than he suits with every other staff. The truth that the Yankees wanted a 30-year-old Cody Bellinger this badly says quite a bit about their religion in Jasson Dominguez, however that is the fact of the scenario. Bellinger returns to the place the place he had 29 homers, 98 RBI, 89 runs, and 13 steals final season, and whereas I do not assume we should always anticipate an actual repeat of that now that he is a yr older, I do assume one thing in that ballpark is cheap. Bellinger is now not a plus energy hitter like his Dodgers days, however his pull-heavy swing and powerful bat management make him an ideal match for Yankee Stadium. He stays a viable choose within the sixth spherical and needs to be one of many first 15 or so outfielders off the board in most drafts no matter format.
This provides depth to the Yankees lineup – a lineup, I’ll remind you, that led the majors in runs final season. The Yankees are kind of operating it again with final yr’s staff, hoping that enhancements from Ben Rice, Anthony Volpe, and Dominguez can overcome the inevitable age-related slides of the remainder of their core. It is a dangerous wager, however there ought to nonetheless be a chance for Dominguez to show himself, even when the trail to on a regular basis plate appearances is not clear proper now. He is blocked by older gamers who’ve missed loads of time through the years, plus one-year surprise Trent Grisham, who might flip again right into a pumpkin after his profession yr. Which is to say, whereas Dominguez should not be somebody Fantasy gamers draft anticipating a lot from him in 2026, do not be shocked if he emerges as surprisingly related surprisingly shortly. –Chris Towers
Luis Robert traded to Mets
Robert lastly will get his change of surroundings after enduring back-to-back 100-loss seasons with the White Sox, which needed to put on on him psychologically even when he would not admit it. Or possibly it is only a coincidence that these back-to-back seasons have been by far his worst individually, derailing what as soon as appeared like a first-round trajectory. One other potential profit from the change of surroundings is that he’ll now not be the focus for a lineup by which he is more likely to bat seventh or eighth, which ought to yield extra hittable pitches for him.
After all, none of that issues if he is merely gone flawed as a hitter, however I do not assume he has. Although his precise batting common and slugging proportion hardly modified from 2024 to 2025, his anticipated marks (as calculated by Statcast) did, largely as a result of his strikeout fee dropped from 33 to 26 p.c. Furthermore, it was 15 p.c within the second half when his season turned on a dime, seeing him slash .298/.352/.456 in 31 video games. That run led to late August due to a Grade 2 hamstring pressure, however was it an indication of issues to return or just a scorching streak? Robert has commented that he was over-swinging within the first half and in addition not letting the ball journey as deep as a result of he was making an attempt to tug it extra from house runs. Such is the psychological impact of being the supposed finest participant on a horrible staff.
If nothing else, it is cause to stay longing for a as soon as nice Fantasy asset who’s nonetheless within the prime of his profession. Counteracting that hope, although, is that the White Sox’s return for him was pretty gentle. Luisangel Acuna is essentially the most attention-grabbing of the 2 gamers coming again, although largely as a result of he shares a reputation along with his extra well-known older brother, Ronald. He’s coming off an eight-homer efficiency within the Venezuelan Winter League, although, and a few previous scouting studies had projected extra energy for him ultimately. There could also be 15-homer, 30-steal upside right here, and he’ll have a significantly better probability of delivering on it with the White Sox (probably in middle discipline) than the Mets. It is a lengthy shot, although, judging by his previous energy output in each the majors and minors (a mixed zero house runs in 2025, as an illustration). –Scott White
Bo Bichette indicators with Mets
The Mets could have panicked following Kyle Tucker’s transfer to the Dodgers as a result of now Bo Bichette, along with his defensive query marks and constantly low stroll charges, is making $42 million a yr. It is or solely three years, however nonetheless, this offseason has gone off the rails. He is an unnatural match, too, with the Mets already having Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien up the center and Brett Baty poised to take over at third base. Seems Bichette himself will probably be enjoying third now, and that half a minimum of is nice information. Third base is missing in bankable expertise, and Bichette ought to ultimately slot into the highest eight there as in comparison with barely cracking the highest 12 at shortstop.
The transition to Citi Discipline could possibly be fraught, although, given his opposite-field tendencies and the chasm in right-center. Certainly, Statcast estimates that Bichette would have hit 4 fewer house runs (15 vs. 19) enjoying each sport there final yr. However a more in-depth take a look at his spray chart reveals the overwhelming majority of his house runs going to his pull facet, even when his fly balls on the whole do not, and the fly balls that do not are actually hit in an space with much more floor to cowl. What he loses in house runs, then, he could make up for with much more batting common, and the RBI might spike batting behind Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto. I am inclined to name this transfer a wash for his Fantasy worth.
As for Baty, he is in all probability again to splitting time with Mark Vientos, this time at DH, until the Mets are prepared to attempt him in left discipline or transfer him in a commerce, which is disappointing provided that he appeared on the verge of breaking out with a .308 (41 for 133) batting common, seven homers and .866 OPS over the ultimate two months of 2025. His sleeper enchantment could also be restricted to deeper league if his present standing holds. –Scott White
J.T. Realmuto indicators with Phillies
The market had been so quiet for Realmuto that I will admit I forgot he was even a free agent. Although he was lengthy the gold normal at catcher for Fantasy functions, he is extra of an afterthought now, his gradual decline combining with an enormous expertise inflow on the place to rank him outdoors of the highest 15. The Phillies clearly nonetheless respect him, inking him to a three-year, $45 million deal, and his return to them makes this evaluation pretty simple. It is nonetheless lineup, and he’ll nonetheless be a daily a part of it, making him an unusually steady selection for a second catcher spot, however that is all he figures to be until attrition hits the place arduous. –Scott White
Joshua Lowe traded to Angels, Gavin Lux to Rays
The three-team deal additionally concerned the Reds, if that wasn’t apparent. There have been extra gamers included, however these are the 2 you may know. Lowe hit .292 with 20 homers and 32 steals in 2023 however has been a disappointment within the two years since, albeit with some indirect points holding him again. He nonetheless has the instruments to be of some use in Fantasy and will not have the identical platoon issues that he had with the Rays, so in principle, refill. However historical past has proven that by the point a former standout trickles right down to the Angles, he is about wrung out. I would not say I am transferring him up with this commerce. Similar goes for Lux, who is not ever going to hit for sufficient energy to matter in Fantasy if he could not do it in Cincinnati.
What this commerce does accomplish, although, is take away a few of the litter obstructing extra attention-grabbing gamers equivalent to Sal Stewart and Jacob Melton. Stewart was a breakthrough prospect final yr, delivering elite exit velocities to go along with his present plate expertise, and made an instantaneous impression when he arrived in September, however supervisor Terry Francona saved discovering boring veterans to play over him, Lux included. With a clearer path to enjoying time, Stewart turns into a late-round goal in all codecs. Melton is a little more speculative, however the Rays clearly like him, having acquired him in one other three-team deal earlier this offseason. He did not present a lot in a stint with the Astros final yr, however he has batting eye and delivered high quality exit velocities at Triple-A. You may wish to monitor his progress this spring. –Scott White
Kyle Tucker indicators with Dodgers
Due to course he does. The marketplace for Tucker had begun to percolate in current days, with the choice seemingly coming down as to if he’d take a shorter cope with a better common annual worth from the Mets or an extended cope with a decrease common annual worth from the Blue Jays. However in swooped the Dodgers with a four-year, $240 million deal that was in all probability the very best of each worlds. From a Fantasy perspective, you could not ask for a greater touchdown spot, each due to the place he’ll hit within the lineup and the place he’ll be enjoying his house video games, and he needs to be a consensus first-rounder in drafts consequently. For a extra full image, try my full-length article. –Scott White
Willi Castro indicators with Rockies
We’re gone the times when any hitter who indicators with the Rockies is remodeled into Fantasy Baseball gold. For as favorable of an surroundings as Coors Discipline stays, it now not performs just like the floor of the moon, and the supporting solid is atrocious. Nonetheless, Castro mattered in Fantasy not so way back, and he should not have a lot hassle getting enjoying time on a depleted Rockies staff. He does not make the type of swing selections to be of a lot use in batting common, even with the BABIP-boosting results of Coors Discipline, and his poor exit velocities ought to put him shy of 15 homers. If he will get again to stealing bases like he did in 2023 — and he is quick sufficient to — his triple eligibility might make him a useful choice for Rotisserie leagues, however until your league is drafting upward of 400 gamers, he does not must be certainly one of them. –Scott White
Ranger Suarez indicators with the Pink Sox
The Pink Sox pivoted from lacking out on Alex Bregman to amass one other solid-if-unspectacular piece for his or her rotation to the tune of 5 years, $130 million. Suarez is, usually, very, superb, placing up a 3.25 ERA over the previous 5 seasons mixed. That, nonetheless, papers over what is usually a fairly rocky path to his last numbers, as Suarez has largely struggled to place collectively wonderful seasons entrance to again, with 2025 serving as a notable exception. He has handled some minor, nagging accidents which have derailed hoped-for breakouts, however he is a superbly positive mid-rotation starter on a staff with each wonderful high-end pitching and depth within the majors and excessive minors.
Actually, I believe this deal occurred a minimum of partially to arrange future ones. The Pink Sox now have an overabundance of rotation choices, with Johan Oviedo, Kutter Crawford, Patrick Sandoval, Payton Tolle, and Connelly Early now seemingly competing this spring for one rotation spot. With a gap at both second or third base and a lineup with expertise however some awkward suits, anticipate the Pink Sox to dip into that rotation depth to make their lineup make a bit extra sense. So, do not surrender in your Tolle or Early sleeper tickets simply but.
As for Suarez: He’s what he’s, a strong rotation piece to your Fantasy staff, who will often go on runs of absolute brilliance when his command is on level and he’s 100% wholesome. He is by no means fairly capable of maintain that, however the finish outcomes are sometimes very sturdy, and his present draft worth (180.8 ADP) makes him a wonderful rotation stabilizer at an affordable worth. –Chris Towers
Ryan Weathers traded to Yankees
The Yankees added one other proficient younger arm to a rotation that’s, at this level, surprisingly stocked with proficient younger arms and little in the way in which of positive issues. Weathers in all probability is not as proficient as Cam Schlittler, however he may be forward of Will Warren and Luis Gil … if he can simply keep wholesome. Weathers has a 3.74 ERA over the previous two seasons, however has thrown simply 125 innings, and the accidents in 2025 have been particularly worrisome – he added just a few ticks of fastball velocity and nearly instantly damage his elbow after which his lat only a few weeks after returning, limiting him to 38.1 innings throughout eight begins.
Weathers additionally did not actually see the increase in manufacturing we hoped for along with his added velocity, along with his strikeout fee sitting at a still-pretty-mediocre 22.3% fee. It isn’t arduous to see a path to extra upside than that, nevertheless it’s completely theoretical at this level, and now he is becoming a member of a Yankees rotation that would discover itself with an overabundance of starters when Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole are again from their respective elbow surgical procedures early within the season. Well being is not any assure, in fact, particularly for veterans getting back from surgical procedure, but in addition for, nicely, Weathers. Which is all to say that, whereas he is a reasonably attention-grabbing pitcher, there is not sufficient certainty in both function or ability to justify spending far more than a late-round flier on Weathers, even with a greater supporting solid in New York.
The opposite wrinkle here’s what it means for Miami’s rotation. They’ve traded Weathers and Edward Cabrera in fast succession, which might seemingly assure an Opening Day rotation spot for prospect Robby Snelling. Snelling is a 22-year-old lefty who averaged 94.7 mph along with his four-seamer and put up a 1.27 ERA in 11 begins at Triple-A final season, so yeah, he is deserving of a spot. His profile is extra about good command than overwhelming stuff, however the stuff ticked up final season, and if it holds, the Marlins won’t even miss Cabrera or Weathers.
And that could possibly be very true when Thomas White, the Marlins different, much more proficient, lefty prospect will get the decision. That may be as quickly as Opening Day if he actually shines this spring, although I would guess we’ll see Janson Junk get the primary alternative. Junk is ok, however White is likely one of the 5 finest pitching prospects in baseball coming off a season the place he reached Triple-A and put up a 2.31 ERA with a ridiculous 39% strikeout fee in 89.2 innings of labor throughout three ranges. We’ll see White sooner or later within the first half, I would wager, however until he completely dominates this spring, he in all probability does not must be in your Draft Day radars.–Chris Towers
Nolan Arenado traded to Diamondbacks
The Cardinals lastly discovered a taker for Arenado, who famously exercised his no-trade clause final offseason to veto a transfer to the Astros. Arenado’s decline continued in 2025, and I am unsure Arizona is the type of touchdown spot that appears more likely to sluggish that down – Arenado’s pull-heavy swing would profit finest from a park with a brief fence down the left discipline line, and whereas Chase Discipline’s left discipline dimensions are a bit friendlier than St. Louis’, it is solely by lower than 10 ft. Arenado’s high quality of contact metrics in 2025 have been legit horrible – he was within the seventeenth percentile in anticipated ISO amongst all hitters, one thing even that pull-heavy swing can not help him overcome anymore. It is in all probability a lineup improve and a park improve, I am simply unsure that is sufficient to matter at this level in Arenado’s profession.
There’s notable fallout in any other case on each side of this transfer. For the Cardinals, it is a first step to clear up a enjoying time log jam, although they in all probability nonetheless want to maneuver yet another participant (seemingly Brendan Donovan, judging by the rumor mill) earlier than they’re completed. That will open up a spot for prime prospect JJ Wetherholt, who I anticipate to be within the Opening Day lineup a method or one other. We simply want that subsequent deal to undergo.
On the Diamondbacks facet, this raises actual questions on the place prime prospect Jordan Lawlar goes to play. With Arenado in and Ketel Marte staying put, the infield is full in Arizona, which suggests both one other journey again to Triple-A or, extra seemingly, a transfer to the outfield for Lawlar. He performed just a few video games there within the Dominican Winter League and can seemingly spend the spring figuring out within the outfield, the place there may be loads of enjoying time to be grabbed. Lawlar has remained very productive in Triple-A and is a viable deep sleeper for Fantasy, however the transfer to a place he has barely performed provides him an much more restricted margin for error as he tries to determine himself within the majors. And, provided that the Diamondbacks have not precisely cleared a path to enjoying time for him regardless of making his MLB debut again in 2023, it is honest at this level to surprise in the event that they’ve simply misplaced religion in Lawlar regardless of his sturdy manufacturing within the minors. –Chris Towers
Alex Bregman indicators with Cubs
To this point in his profession, Bregman has had the great fortune of enjoying in two of essentially the most opportune venues for pull-side right-handed energy: Daikin Park and Fenway Park. Now, he’ll get a style of the other. The impression that Wrigley Discipline might have on his house run output is tough to establish via metrics like xHR, which struggles to account for the venue’s ever-windy circumstances and weird define, however Isaac Paredes serves as a helpful take a look at case. If Paredes produces very similar to Bregman in Houston, what are the probabilities Bregman will produce very similar to Paredes in Chicago? I break it down right here. –Scott White
Edward Cabrera traded to Cubs
The rotation impression right here is obvious: With Justin Steele recovering from Tommy John surgical procedure, the Cubs fairly desperately wanted one other arm for the center a part of their rotation, and Cabrera was one of the vital thrilling in the marketplace. Armed with fastballs that flirt with triple digits and a changeup with the speed of the typical pitcher’s fastball, Cabrera has at all times had en engaging arm, however in 2025, he made actual modifications to begin to stay as much as the hype. For extra on these and what the Marlins acquired again on this deal, try my full-length article. –Chris Towers
Kazuma Okamoto indicators with Blue Jays
Okamoto ended up signing for 4 years, $60 million with the Blue Jays, and all of that sounds proper. It is in keeping with expectations for Okamoto’s contract coming into the offseason – whereas Munetaka Murakami and Tatsuya Imai’s costs ended up nicely wanting expectations – and Okamoto’s ability set suits in completely with a acutely aware choice the Blue Jays have made in recent times to focus on hitters who could make loads of contact with out sacrificing energy. Okamoto has been among the finest hitters in Japan in recent times and is coming off an enormous season the place he was arguably the finest hitter, placing up a 210 wRC with 15 homers in 69 video games. He’ll seemingly see his strikeout fee, which ranged round 14-17% in Japan, rise nearer to league common within the majors, and he does not have significantly better than above-average uncooked energy, however Okamoto does job of driving the ball to the pull facet within the air, serving to him get essentially the most out of his bodily instruments. I feel Okamoto is unlikely to be a famous person within the majors, however he is becoming a member of lineup and positively has top-10 upside at third base in a late-career Nolan Arenado (earlier than he fully collapsed) type of manner. He is price drafting round two hundredth general or so in most drafts as a nook infielder with some upside. —Chris Towers
Tatsuya Imai indicators with Astros
Of the a number of gamers anticipated to signal out of East Asia this offseason, Imai was regarded as the very best. He is within the prime of his profession at age 27, was the hardest-throwing beginning pitcher in Japan this previous season (based on Baseball America) and, nicely, you may see the numbers for your self. However numbers may be deceptive, notably for pitchers throughout what’s been a lifeless ball period for the Japanese league. What does it say that Imai’s final deal — three years for a most of $63 million — is such a far cry from the six-year, $150 million provide that a number of retailers have been projecting?
Could possibly be that Imai is betting on a much bigger rating as soon as he proves himself. His deal contains opt-outs after each the primary and second yr. Could possibly be, nonetheless, that his oddball profile makes for a tough analysis. Sure, he throws arduous, along with his fastball sitting at about 96 mph and peaking at 99, however what’s extra notable is his launch peak. It could rank among the many lowest within the sport, owing each to his close to sidearm supply and smallish 5-foot-11 construct. In the meantime, his slider, which is meant to be his finest pitch, breaks to his arm facet, transferring in the other way of most each different slider, which Lance Brozdowski has identified would make it much less interesting to stuff fashions.
However wouldn’t it make it more practical truly? I am of the opinion that bizarre is nice for pitchers. The objective is to misdirect hitters, in any case, and familiarity works in opposition to that objective. If Imai’s success trusted deception alone, I would have higher doubts, however he has high quality stuff and a minimum of fairly good command. The contract is slightly underwhelming, however I am nonetheless more likely to rank him amongst my prime 45 beginning pitchers for 2026. –Scott White
Pete Fairbanks indicators with Marlins
A day after saying they’d be with out Ronny Henriquez for the 2026 season, the Marlins agreed to a one-year, $13 million cope with Fairbanks. It is a modest contract for a pitcher with ample closing expertise, which speaks to issues in regards to the 32-year-old’s declining efficiency the previous two years. He is continued to deal with the ninth inning capably, however he is gone from putting out about 12 batters per 9 innings to lower than 9 per 9, with a corresponding drop in velocity. The Rays, who in fact know him finest, truly turned down an $11 million choice for him. Nonetheless, he’ll enter 2026 as the favourite to shut for the Marlins, who have been by no means settled in that function final yr. Perhaps that is supervisor Clayton McCullough’s philosophy, which is all of the extra cause to be cautious about drafting Fairbanks subsequent yr, besides, he is price focusing on as a low-end RP2. –Scott White
Willson Contreras traded to Pink Sox
Properly, this one’s type of stunning. The Pink Sox in all probability could not go into this season counting on Triston Casas once more, and now it is not clear if Casas will even be on the Pink Sox in 2026. Contreras transitioned to first base in 2025 and continued to be a strong middle-of-the-order bat, hitting 20 homers with a .257/.344/.447 line. Given the cash due over the ultimate two seasons of his contract (which incorporates an choice for 2028), the Pink Sox aren’t more likely to take into account Contreras a platoon bat with Casas, so I might anticipate a commerce for Casas, who may have some very late-round enchantment in Fantasy if he finds an on a regular basis job. As for Contreras, his worth takes an enormous hit as he’s solely 1B eligible for 2026, however he is a strong sufficient nook infield choice in Fantasy, particularly with a pleasant little park improve on the way in which.
As for the Cardinals facet of this, I’m wondering if this may be a method to unlock on a regular basis at bats for Ivan Herrera, who has hit like a primary baseman over the previous couple of seasons whereas enjoying catcher … like a primary baseman. He’s recovering from elbow surgical procedure and is predicted to play catcher in 2026 after largely being restricted to DH duties final season, however possibly they might give him just a few alternatives behind the plate per week whereas primarily holding down first base and DH. Herrera will not open 2026 with catcher eligibility, however he has vital upside if he will get there and performs often coming off a .284/.373/.464 line (with even higher underlying numbers).
The Cardinals additionally added to their rotation choices with Hunter Dobbins coming again their manner, together with as-yet-unnamed pitching prospects. Dobbins had a 4.13 ERA and three.99 xERA final season with the Pink Sox, and there may be room to unlock some swing-and-miss upside with some tweaks to his arsenal. However he is in all probability simply an end-of-rotation choice for the Cardinals and somebody Fantasy gamers can view as strictly a streamer for 2026. —Chris Towers
Munetaka Murakami indicators with the White Sox
It is a surprisingly small contract for one of many largest names in the marketplace. I wrote about that and extra right here:
“MLB groups aren’t infallible, and in the case of a participant making the transition from NPB to the majors, there’s an inherent uncertainty that makes it tougher to say with confidence whether or not this may find yourself being deal or not. However there are not any scarcity of groups with the necessity for a possible 30-plus energy hitter in the midst of the lineup, and the truth that Murakami ended up with an analogous contract to those Jurickson Profar and Tyler O’Neill signed final season (whereas being considerably older and with fairly mediocre MLB observe data) stands out as a fairly large crimson flag, one Fantasy participant should not simply ignore.
I am not going to completely bury him in my rankings however provided that the White Sox (and the opposite 29 groups, frankly) know an entire lot extra about Murakami than we do, I’m very a lot inclined to view him with a skeptical eye. We’ll get to the scouting report for Murakami shortly, however the lengthy and wanting it’s there are vital contact questions along with his swing that make his probability of dwelling as much as the loftiest expectations fairly unlikely. I used to be prepared to offer him the advantage of the doubt as a prospect if he signed for large cash, however with the main points in now, it looks like MLB groups simply haven’t got loads of religion in his swing. If MLB groups are telling us they do not have far more religion in him than they do in Polanco, we should always in all probability pay attention.” –Chris Towers
Shane Baz traded to the Orioles
I wrote about Baz’s transfer to Baltimore right here:
“The Orioles are betting they’ll do one thing comparable right here with Baz getting into his age-27 season. And there are clearly instruments to work with right here when you look previous the ugly 4.78 ERA Baz put up in 2025. His xERA was 3.85, which suggests there was loads of poor luck in Baz’s outcomes. He has some strikeout upside and limits harm on contact nicely sufficient (.359 xwOBA on contact in 2025, .355 for his profession; .368 is league common), however has largely struggled with consistency.
And I feel the Rays strategy could have one thing to do with that. Many pitchers have talked about how the Rays philosophy can usually be boiled right down to, “Throw your finest pitches as usually as potential, purpose for the center of the zone‘, and let your stuff do the remainder.” That’s recommendation that has labored out nicely for a lot of pitchers (most notably Tyler Glasnow), however I feel it has been holding Baz again. He has good things, however does not essentially miss as many bats within the strike zone as you’d anticipate, posting a roughly common in-zone contact fee allowed. That is an issue when Baz throws 53% of his pitches within the zone, in comparison with the league common of roughly 48%. These pitches within the zone will assist you to keep away from walks, in fact, nevertheless it’s arduous to constantly miss bats that manner, and constantly lacking bats has been an enormous situation for Baz.” — Chris Towers
Brandon Lowe traded to the Rays
I wrote about Lowe’s slot in Pittsburgh right here:
“It’s a park downgrade for Lowe, although that will not matter as a lot as you assume – he hit simply .240/.279/.456 at George M. Steinbrenner Discipline final season, whereas Tropicana Discipline (the place Lowe performed each season previous to final) is definitely a worse park for left-handed hitters than PNC Park. PNC is a harder park for righties and will play fairly honest for Lowe, so your expectations for him should not change an excessive amount of based mostly on this deal.
Which suggests Lowe ought to stay among the finest values on the second base place for Fantasy but once more. Regardless of coming off a bounce-back season, Lowe’s ADP in early NFBC drafts is simply 174.1. He is being held again by issues about his well being, which is honest, however he simply proved final season he can provide us one thing near a full season, and there simply aren’t many gamers who can provide you as huge an edge on the competitors as Lowe does with homers relative to different second basemen.” — Chris Towers
Michael King indicators with Padres
The theme of staying put this offseason continues for an additional notable free agent, and the phrases are fairly attention-grabbing. In all, the deal could possibly be price $75 million over three years, however King might select to choose out after the primary or second yr, incomes the least sum of money upfront. That is the type of deal a participant indicators when he thinks he will not get he is price and must resuscitate his worth, and to be honest, he did miss a lot of 2025 with nerve impingement in his shoulder. However he did have his typical velocity when he returned in September, and each contender might use a pitcher like him.
It is cause to surprise if there are lingering doubts about King’s ineffectiveness in September. He did not look as sharp despite the fact that the speed checked out. In all, his transfer again into the beginning rotation in 2024 has been a smashing success, and he has top-25 upside at beginning pitcher. On condition that the place is so deep, although, and he clearly has one thing to show nonetheless, he’ll come nearer to being the fiftieth beginning pitcher chosen. –Scott White
Ha-seong Kim indicators with Braves
Kim turned down his $16 million choice with the Braves earlier this offseason however returns for an addition $4 million on a one-year. It is a good slot in that the Braves badly want a shortstop with some offensive potential and Kim badly wants to revive his worth after a season wrecked by accidents. He ought to play on daily basis simply as he did in September when the Braves claimed him off waivers from the Rays.
Whether or not he’ll carry out is one other matter. His 2025 was break up evenly with 24 video games for the Rays and 24 for the Braves, and he did carry out higher as soon as he was again to enjoying often with the latter. However he additionally had zero steals with the latter and is not of a lot Fantasy curiosity with out these, notably since he is more likely to bat low within the lineup. A 12-homer, 25-steal season is what you possibly can fairly hope for, with 15 and 30 being his absolute upside, however he is far sufficient faraway from these type of numbers that you must strategy him with skepticism. He is a late-round choose in leagues that require a 3rd center infielder (equivalent to normal Rotisserie). –Scott White
Adolis Garcia indicators with Phillies
Garcia, 32, has struggled with points in each knees and hasn’t been an impression hitter since 2023. The Phillies are betting they’ll unlock one thing and a minimum of squeeze a gentle improve from what Nick Castellanos has given them the previous few seasons. That is not a nasty wager on a one-year, $10 million contract. It is an improve in supporting solid and residential park, and that would present slightly increase to Garcia’s worth. However I am not anticipating a George Springer-esque resurgence after two years of an OPS beneath .700 and declining underlying metrics. Perhaps you possibly can get 20 homers and 10 steals out of him as a late-round flier. –Chris Towers
Josh Bell indicators with Twins
Bell’s profession has been outlined by inconsistency, so a bounce-back in 2025 is not out of the query. That is very true given his underlying metrics in 2025, which have been the very best we have seen from him since 2021, with a .358 xwOBA to go together with his finest strikeout fee in three years. It did not present up within the field rating till the second half of the season, when Bell hit .267/.353/.489. It isn’t unreasonable to assume there is a comparable ceiling in right here for 2026, although you definitely should not draft Bell anticipating that. As a late-round flier for energy, you are able to do worse, nonetheless. –Chris Towers
Merrill Kelly indicators with Diamondbacks
Petty simple, this one. Other than his two months with the Rangers on the finish of 2025, our solely recollection of Kelly is with the Diamondbacks, so we all know precisely what to anticipate. The one query could be if he is starting to age out at 37, seeing as he was extra hittable throughout his 10 begins with the Rangers. No group would have a greater learn on him than the Diamondbacks, although, and so they’re prepared to pay him $20 million every of the subsequent two years. His velocity and ERA estimators have held regular, so I feel you may draft him with confidence as an innings-eating rotation stabilizer within the fifth or sixth starter vary. You may in all probability find yourself utilizing him greater than you anticipate to. –Scott White
Isaac Collins traded to Royals
For a minute there, Collins was the new factor in Fantasy, slashing .338/.425/.544 over a two-month stretch from June 12 via Aug. 11. And whereas he slashed solely .182/.303/.293 thereafter, slipping into extra of a part-time function, he nonetheless ended up reaching base at a .368 clip as a rookie. That is seemingly what attracted the Royals to Collins, and with them, the switch-hitter is extra more likely to play on daily basis.
My worry, although, is that the midseason scorching stretch inflated his stat line past what’s truly cheap and that the season merely ended earlier than the correction could possibly be totally utilized. He wasn’t a extremely regarded prospect, does not hit the ball with a lot authority, and does not make contact at an unusually excessive fee. He is good at taking walks, as his minor league historical past additionally reveals, however main league pitchers will put a cease to that if the bat is not impactful sufficient. They’re higher at controlling the place the ball goes and can merely pound the strike zone. Perhaps Collins will excel with the Royals and provides them their very own model of Sal Frelick. It is extra potential with them than with the Brewers. However that is modest upside for a participant with such a questionable profile, making him not price contemplating outdoors of five-outfielder leagues. –Scott White
Dustin Might indicators with Cardinals
Not a nasty gamble for the Cardinals when you think about that Might was a prized commodity as lately as a yr in the past. He was getting back from flexor tendon surgical procedure in addition to a Tommy John revision, and clearly, issues did not end up so nicely. The Dodgers determined to chop bait, delivery him to the Pink Sox for a few minor leaguers, nevertheless it did not enhance his circumstances in any respect. If nothing else, the Cardinals can present him with alternative given the sorry state of their beginning rotation. He is misplaced about 2 mph from all three variations of his fastball (four-seamer, two-seamer and cutter), however he nonetheless will get depraved horizontal motion on a number of of his pitches. He is an excessive amount of of a undertaking to draft in standard-size leagues, but when he begins getting some buzz this spring, that would change. –Scott White
It wasn’t even every week in the past that I mentioned Kyle Finnegan could be the favourite for saves in Detroit after signing a two-year, $19 million deal. I take all of it again. Jansen, the lively saves chief and fourth on the all-time listing with 476, turns into essentially the most confirmed nearer supervisor A.J. Hinch has ever had.
Hinch is notoriously noncommittal along with his ninth-inning decisions, which is why the Finnegan endorsement was a guarded one, however the final time he had a more in-depth extensively thought-about to be among the finest within the sport, Roberto Osuna in 2019, he acquired him 38 saves. Jansen presumably would not go to a staff that did not promise him the nearer function. The final time he acquired fewer than 25 saves in a season (2020 excluded) was 2011. It is true he isn’t as dominant as he as soon as was, however he continues to get the job performed at 38 and has probability for 30-plus saves on an anticipated contender. It’s best to goal him among the many prime 15 relievers in leagues that reward saves. –Scott White
Out with Pete Alonso. In with … Jorge Polanco? Sure, the Mets are going the thrifty route to switch their All-Star first baseman, signing a longtime second baseman with the intention of transitioning him there. I say it is the thrifty route, however actually it is extra just like the short-term route, seeing as Polanco is slated to make $40 million over two years.
He earned that pay enhance with a resurgent season in Seattle, his finest in 4 years. He had patellar tendon surgical procedure previous to the season, a situation he had been managing for years, and the underlying information backs up the resurgence, specifically via improved exit velocities a vastly improved strikeout fee. In principle, he’ll a greater venue, however his xHR by ballpark is about the identical in New York and Seattle over the previous few years. Principally, Polanco’s worth is tied to his second base eligibility, given that it is the weakest infield place, and this transfer places him within the dialog for prime 10 there. –Scott White
Ken Rosenthal already answered your query: The Braves nonetheless anticipate to make use of Raisel Iglesias as their nearer in 2026. The deal can pay Suarez $13 million in 2026, with $16 million due in every of 2027 and 2028; with Iglesias solely underneath contract for yet another yr after re-signing earlier this offseason, the plan right here appears fairly clear. For 2026, Suarez is an overqualified setup man; in 2027, he ought to enter because the odds-on favourite to shut. After all, he would possibly find yourself closing in 2026 anyway, as Iglesias misplaced the texture for his slider in 2025 and subsequently misplaced his job (earlier than ultimately successful it again). Profitable it again from Suarez, who has a 2.87 ERA and 76 saves over the previous two seasons, may be a harder process. Iglesias stays within the top-12 nearer dialogue for 2026 drafts, however he is acquired to be considered as a riskier choose now than he was earlier than the Suarez signing. –Chris Towers
Pete Alonso indicators with Orioles
After he sat on the free agent market till February final offseason, Pete Alonso discovered his house a lot earlier this time round. And, for the primary time in his skilled profession, he will not be with the Mets, as he landed with the Orioles Wednesday on a five-year deal that may make him one of many highest-paid first basemen in MLB historical past. It is a transfer that solutions some questions for the Orioles lineup in 2026 and raises loads extra for the Mets. For extra, try out my full-length article. –Chris Towers
Here is one more free agent who examined the free agent market and determined the grass wasn’t greener, on this case re-upping with the Tigers on a two-year, $19 million deal. Finnegan is probably not of the identical stature as Kyle Schwarber, who additionally selected to remain put Tuesday, however he could possibly be of use in Fantasy if he finally ends up claiming the nearer function for the Tigers. (Replace: He seemingly will not with the next signing of Kenley Jansen.)
He kind of break up the function with Will Vest after coming over from the Nationals in a deadline deal, however he has extra expertise in it and have become a significantly better pitcher with the Tigers, placing collectively a 1.50 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 11.5 Okay/9 in 16 appearances. Mainly, they’d him throw his splitter twice as usually, and clearly, they assume these good points will stick. –Scott White
Kyle Schwarber returning to the Phillies is an enormous deal for real-life baseball. Schwarber is likely one of the 15 or so finest hitters in baseball (and the variety of higher energy hitters is an excellent shorter listing), however he is additionally been an integral a part of the Phillies’ clubhouse throughout their current run of contending, and so they have been preventing off various different contenders and would-be contenders for Schwarber’s providers. That is an inventory that included sudden names just like the Reds and Pirates, in addition to the Orioles, Mets, and others who have been all in on Schwarber to the tune of a minimum of $100 million. His touchdown spot might have essentially reshaped the look of any certainly one of a few half-dozen groups.
For Fantasy, although, this deal does not actually matter all that a lot. We’ll at all times take the established order reigning when that includes an elite hitter staying in lineup, and it is in all probability the very best probability Schwarber has to recreate his unimaginable 2025 season. But it surely additionally does not – or should not – change how anybody views him for Fantasy. It is the established order, in any case.
I’ll say this: I feel Schwarber’s worth in drafts might be a minimum of slightly bit unreasonable. After sporting an ADP close to seventieth getting into 2025, he is sitting at 24.5 in early NFBC drafts thus far. He was price that in 2025, however he additionally hit 18 extra homers than he had in 2024 and 9 greater than every other season in his profession, so anticipating a repeat might be asking quite a bit. He’ll hit 40 or so with elite run manufacturing numbers, however he hasn’t hit higher than .248 since 2021 (when he was shielded from lots of the hardest lefties on the schedule in a manner he now not is) and he’s a Util/DH-only participant for Fantasy. None of that needs to be thought-about a deal breaker, however it may create some robust team-building issues when it prices a second-round choose. –Chris Towers
Edwin Diaz indicators with Dodgers
Edwin Diaz becoming a member of the Dodgers is one other transfer that feels extra momentous in actual life than in Fantasy. The Dodgers’ bullpen was their largest weak spot in 2025 and now they’ve signed the very best nearer in the marketplace. After all they did. However Diaz was going to be a more in-depth irrespective of the place he signed, and if something, signing with a staff that gave out an enormous contract to a different shut final offseason and has different pitchers with closing expertise means there may be a bit extra threat in drafting Diaz than there was earlier than. He’ll in all probability stay a dominant drive and safe 35-plus saves for the Dodgers, however he is unstable sufficient that it is not unimaginable to foresee a world by which he loses this job. Keep in mind, it occurred to him for a stretch in 2024.
Tanner Scott is clearly undraftable in most leagues now, whereas Devin Williams appears safe a top-12 nearer and a high-profile bounce-back candidate if the Mets keep out of the nearer market transferring ahead. –Chris Towers
That the Mariners would commerce Ford, who has been one of many prime catcher prospects from the time he was drafted in 2021, was all however sure given the Cal Raleigh of all of it. That they’d get solely a blah reliever in return was sudden. However wait, wasn’t Ferrer the Nationals‘ nearer by the tip of final season? Yeah, as a result of they traded everybody else away. He throws arduous, however the numbers definitely aren’t closer-caliber, and even if you wish to say his 3.03 FIP is extra indicative of his potential than his 4.48 ERA, so what? Left-handers who get floor balls at a excessive fee, whereas helpful, usually aren’t thought-about prime commerce forex. The Mariners truly gave up a second minor-leaguer within the deal as nicely.
Clearly, Ferrer will not be closing video games anymore, so no matter Fantasy worth he might need had is now kaput. What about Ford? Properly, the Nationals do have Keibert Ruiz locked up via 2030, however he was ravaged by concussions in 2025 and has carried out beneath expectations every of the previous two seasons. Not like Raleigh, he is a catcher that Ford might fairly overtake. Ford stands out most for his plate self-discipline, having reached base at a .408 clip in 2025 and a .405 clip for his minor league profession, and he has playable pop to his pull facet. He had been a prolific base-stealer previously however put a cease to that in 2025, for some cause. With as deep as catcher is true now, you will not have to make an enormous play for him even in two-catcher leagues, however that would change if he garners loads of buzz this spring. –Scott White
There have been three lesser prospects moved on this deal as nicely, however we’ll stick with the precept gamers. The Password, as Garcia is often recognized, is a borderline top-100 prospect who acquired 9 plate appearances for the Pink Sox final yr after a productive displaying between Double- and Triple-A. However whereas energy is meant to be his calling card, he delivered solely an 86.4 mph common exit velocity in his 81 video games at Triple-A. His house run output depends on him pulling the ball within the air with regularity, and since PNC Park charges because the worst house run venue for right-handed hitters, that is … type of an issue. Garcia additionally had a excessive chase fee at Triple-A, to not point out a excessive miss fee on pitches within the zone, so there are ample causes for skepticism right here, even when this traded affords him a a lot clearer path to enjoying time.
Oviedo additionally strikes me as extra of a curiosity than a real asset. His 9 begins late in 2025 a minimum of confirmed him to be wholesome after a prolonged restoration from Tommy John surgical procedure, however the outings have been quick, with just one exceeding 5 innings, and the three.57 ERA was undercut by a 4.92 FIP. Whereas he reveals some potential as a bat-misser, it is not almost sufficient to make up for his vulnerability to walks and residential runs, and my guess is that he’ll serve extra as a swingman than a full-time starter for the Pink Sox. –Scott White
“My guess as we speak is that Pagan doesn’t signal as a more in-depth.” That is what I mentioned on the Fantasy Baseball At present podcast Monday night time. However the a method to make sure he’ll stay a more in-depth is to re-sign with the staff that simply used him as a more in-depth, and that is precisely what occurred Wednesay Monday Emilio Pagan indicators with Reds re-upped him on a two-year $20 million deal.
It might work out positive. It clearly did in 2025, seeing him recording 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA. But it surely marked solely the second time in six years that he had an ERA beneath 4.40, and he remained as homer-prone as ever, which accounts for the three.72 FIP and three.91 xFIP. Pitching in Cincinnati ought to solely exacerbate these house run issues, and simply because he dodged a bullet the primary time doesn’t suggest he’ll once more. He deserves to be drafted among the many prime 20 relievers, simply because there are solely so many in line for saves, however there’s particular bust potential. –Scott White
Mullins’ manufacturing has been in decline for some time now and hit all-time low when he batted .182 with a .565 OPS after becoming a member of the Mets in a midseason commerce. However he is nonetheless a plus defender in middle discipline (which is greater than may be mentioned for Chandler Simpson), his exit velocities have held pretty regular even with the diminished manufacturing, and he simply delivered a career-high pull-air fee. There are worse gambles a thrifty membership might make than to ink a former 30/30 man to a one-year, $7 million deal. My finest guess is that Mullins suits into some type of platoon and places up usable energy/velocity numbers for a five-outfielder league. Seeing as he is a profession .189 hitter with a .519 OPS at Tropicana Discipline, although, I would be extra more likely to modify these expectations down than up. –Scott White
Early December is seemingly the time to buy failed main league pitchers who rehabilitated their worth in East Asia, as a result of Kay turns into the third such participant to sign up two days. He is the primary to signal out of Japan slightly than Korea, and whereas his 2025 strikeout fee wasn’t almost as spectacular in Cody Ponce’s, he was enjoying within the harder league.
The 1.74 ERA is a crimson herring (as such an ERA nearly at all times is) as a result of NPB has been going via a dead-ball section the previous few years, however Kay is a vastly totally different pitcher than once we final noticed him in 2023. He is now primarily sinker/cutter slightly than fastball/slider, turning into the type of excessive ground-ball pitcher (56 p.c fee in 2025) that may overcome a modest strikeout fee, and has a wider arsenal on the whole. He is unlikely to be far more than a streamer in Fantasy, notably pitching for a non-contender just like the White Sox, however as with each pitcher who takes this profession path, there may be the potential for a shock. –Scott White
Cody Ponce indicators with Blue Jays
After an unremarkable stint with the Pirates earlier within the decade, Ponce spent just a few years refining his sport abroad, and it culminated with him incomes MVP honors within the Korean Baseball Group final yr. The award is straightforward to know given the numbers, however what’s behind these numbers? Apparently, he is added 2 mph to his fastball since we final noticed him in 2021, and he is additionally added a kick change (typically recognized as a splitter) that produces unimaginable tumbling motion with its minimal spin (usually beneath 1,000 rpm). Although he additionally has a sweeper, it is the fastball and changeup that primarily account for his 12.6 Okay/9, the best for any former MLB pitcher getting back from the KBO.
The Blue Jays are making a reasonable-sized dedication, too. Three years, $30 million, whereas having the potential to make him a cut price, is not stab-in-the-dark cash. They’re satisfied Ponce can maintain down a rotation spot for them, and I am satisfied he’ll a minimum of be viable in Fantasy, along with his core elements suggesting even higher than that. Nonetheless, the 2026 beginning pitcher crop is deep sufficient in upside performs that I could not justify utilizing greater than a late-round choose on him. –Scott White
A former fourth-round choose of the Diamondbacks, Weiss wasn’t ok to succeed in the majors earlier than departing for Korea in 2024, however after placing collectively spectacular numbers there in 2025 (see above), he’ll get an opportunity to compete for a spot within the Astros rotation on a one-year, $2.6 million deal. That is not an important monetary dedication, clearly, which suggests {that a} market didn’t develop for the soon-to-be 29-year-old. Between that and the shortage of clear explanations for Weiss’ breakthrough (past imprecise references to improved command and a broader secondary arsenal), I am inclined to assume it was much less about Weiss himself than his competitors. He could have stretches when he is streamable, however barring some eye-opening efficiency this spring, he ought to go largely undrafted in Fantasy. –Scott White
The Bronx chewed up and spit out Williams, heretofore a lockdown ace of a more in-depth, however certainly the opposite New York borough will makes for a gentler touchdown. Or … by no means. Actually, this deal affords little in the way in which of closure as a result of the Mets’ mountain of sources permits them to pursue one other big-dollar reliever, as much as and together with Edwin Diaz, who would in fact take priority over Williams within the ninth inning. However the Mets are paying Williams nearer cash — three years, $45 million, together with extra incentives — so for now, let’s presume he is their nearer.
Whereas we might have appreciated him to land in a lower-pressure locale, the one cause to quote New York as the reason for his struggles is as a result of there are not any extra apparent ones. His pitches all had the identical form and velocity. He missed bats at his typical elite fee. His 3.11 xERA and a couple of.68 FIP have been each a lot decrease than his 4.79 ERA. He was principally the identical pitcher. The outcomes have been simply worse. Usually, you’d wager on a rebound in that state of affairs, and I nonetheless assume that is the best transfer, which is why I rank him simply inside my prime 12 relievers. However I would really feel higher had he signed some place else. –Scott White
Whereas some groups have been reportedly eyeing Helsley as a rotation candidate, the Orioles plan to make use of him as a more in-depth with Felix Bautista (shoulder) anticipated out for almost all of 2016. Helsley was an important nearer not so way back, registering 49 saves with a 2.04 ERA in 2024, however he was not so nice or perhaps a nearer when final we noticed him, placing collectively a 7.20 ERA in 22 appearances for the Mets following a midseason commerce from the Cardinals.
After attending to the basis of the issue, which was apparently a inform in his supply, he completed his Mets tenure with seven scoreless innings, and the Orioles evidently felt assured sufficient give him a two-year, $28 million deal. It isn’t the type of contract that an ace reliever who’s completely worry-free would get, nevertheless it’s a sturdy dedication nonetheless. With the Orioles anticipated again in playoff rivalry, you must anticipate drafting Helsley within the 12-15 vary at reduction pitcher. He is has the potential to be prime 5. –Scott White
$210 million is some huge cash for a pitcher coming off a 4.55 ERA. However as I wrote in my extra in-depth breakdown of the signing, that ERA does not come near telling the entire story with Stop. Sure, he is frustratingly inconsistent. He is additionally a real workhorse, taking the ball each fifth day and offering quantity and strikeouts. With ERA and WHIP threat, positive, however there’s clearly loads of upside there, too. He is going off the board in early drafts round eightieth general, because the twentieth SP off the board or thereabouts, and that looks like an ideal positive worth for a man along with his combination of upside and projectable quantity. There aren’t many pitchers whose absolute best-case state of affairs is as engaging for Fantasy as Stop’s. –Chris Towers
The Pink Sox have been anticipated to make an enormous splash in both free company or within the commerce marketplace for a rotation improve, and this commerce may be it. Grey struggled to a 4.28 ERA and 1.23 WHIP final season, however his underlying metrics have been extra indicative of a top-of-rotation arm, together with a 26.7% strikeout fee, 3.39 FIP and three.29 SIERA. The 36-year-old has seen his velocity decline in consecutive seasons, nonetheless, and his high quality of contact metrics took an enormous step again in 2025, which is why his xERA was a extra pedestrian 3.90 mark. He is a strong pitcher, each for the Pink Sox and for Fantasy, however I do not assume he is a needle-mover in both occasion at this level in his profession, even when the Pink Sox would possibly have the ability to get him of their pitching lab and squeeze some further worth out of him. There’s nonetheless room for the Pink Sox to improve this rotation, in different phrases. –Chris Towers
In trade for Grey, the Cardinals acquired a few attention-grabbing youthful arms. Fitts is extra of a recognized amount, and he hasn’t given us a lot cause to be excited. He had a 5.00 ERA with even worse peripherals in 2025, so whereas he would possibly slide into the Cardinals rotation, it’s going to largely be for a scarcity of higher choices. Clarke is the extra attention-grabbing long-term undertaking, with a fastball that may contact 100 mph and a slider that’s already a weapon. The remainder of the arsenal is a piece in progress. He walked 27 in simply 38 innings throughout two ranges of A-Ball in 2025, so this can be a actual undertaking. If all comes collectively, he would possibly have the ability to hack it as a starter, however he appears extra like a Ryan Helsley-in-waiting kind of high-leverage bullpen arm in the long term.
The opposite factor price noting right here is that, with Grey out of the image and Miles Mikolas leaving by way of free company, there are a number of holes within the Cardinals rotation proper now. Prospects Quinn Mathews and Tink Therefore have expertise within the excessive minors and could possibly be choices for the 2026 rotation, although each have troublesome 2025 campaigns that would lead the staff to wish to see extra success at Triple-A earlier than they make that decision. For Fantasy, these are each names to know heading into spring coaching in case they’ll steal rotation spots. Liam Doyle, a 2025 first-round choose, appears more likely to be extra of a midseason consideration after he threw simply 3 2/3 post-draft innings within the execs, however he might completely be a quick riser early in 2026, too. –Chris Towers
The Mets and Rangers continued the early offseason development of buying and selling main leaguers for different main leaguers in an trade of two growing old ones with a number of years remaining on their offers. Nimmo, who’s 32, has proven solely faint indicators of decline, if even these, persevering with to make worthwhile contributions in house runs and stolen bases with huge run and RBI manufacturing. He is becoming a member of a worse lineup that performs in a worse venue, however any modifications to his manufacturing could be slight, presuming good well being.
Semien, who’s 35, has seen his manufacturing nosedive the previous two years, however this commerce could serve to sluggish and even reverse the decline given the park improve. Statcast estimates he’d have a dozen extra house runs throughout that very same two-year span if he had performed each sport at Citi Discipline. That is my largest takeaway from this commerce, however Chris Towers has written an entire breakdown of it, which you will discover right here. –Scott White
Iglesias re-ups for one yr at precisely the identical fee ($16 million) because the earlier three. Clearly, the Braves have been searching for continuity, and that makes the evaluation right here slightly simple. He is the nearer once more for an anticipated contender and a close to lock for 30 saves, supplied he stays wholesome. He missed that quantity by one in 2025, largely due to some early-season struggles. As soon as he in the reduction of on his slider, although, he was clearly again to type, compiling a 1.25 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and 10.0 Okay/9 in his last 45 appearances. That’ll play, all proper, and positions Iglesias to be one of many first 12 relievers off the board in 2026. –Scott White
What a fall for Rodriguez, who was regarded a pair years in the past as one of many sport’s burgeoning aces after a multi-year run as a top-10 general prospect. Now, the Orioles have dealt him away for one yr of some 32-year-old outfielder who simply hit .228. That is not completely honest to Ward, who additionally linked for 36 house runs in 2025, however most projections have him regressing to 25-30 in 2026. He is additionally becoming a member of a staff that is loaded with solid-but-less-than-All-Star-worthy nook bats. There already wasn’t room within the lineup for all of Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo, Coby Mayo, Tyler O’Neill and Ryan Mountcastle. Now, there’s room for one fewer. It will not be Ward, however does that imply we’ll have to attend even longer for Basallo to contribute in Fantasy? If that’s the case, that is a bummer.
However the true story right here is Rodriguez, who Angels GM Perry Minasian says is predicted to be prepared for spring coaching after lacking all of 2025 with lat and elbow points. The lat has been a recurring downside, additionally costing Rodriguez time in 2024 and as a minor leaguer in 2022, and the elbow required debridement surgical procedure in August. The Orioles solely made this deal as a result of they could not belief him to remain wholesome, however having mentioned that, he would not be the primary pitcher to beat a multi-year damage development and nonetheless go on to fulfill his potential. We now have no proof that his stuff has diminished with this newest rash of accidents, so I am nonetheless inclined to rank him as a prime 75 beginning pitcher for 2026. This commerce is certain to offer some drafters pause even at that late stage, although. –Scott White
Grisham’s choice to just accept the qualifying provide is a curious one provided that he simply had far and away his finest season, homering 34 instances as the first middle fielder for the Yankees. Some main retailers have been projecting him to obtain a four- or five-year deal for the same annual worth because the qualifying provide, however his agent in all probability has a greater learn in the marketplace.
If nothing else, you possibly can say he is betting on himself with this transfer, hoping to re-enter the market subsequent offseason with out the stigma of being a one-hit surprise, however now comes the arduous half: doing it once more. You would possibly assume the return to Yankee Stadium will assist, provided that he is a left-handed batter, however he truly hit two-thirds of his house runs on the street. If the Yankees are critical about giving Jasson Dominguez common enjoying time subsequent yr and in addition bringing again Cody Bellinger, Grisham could also be preventing for at-bats once more. The Yankees nonetheless make for a greater touchdown than loads of golf equipment, however you may perceive why drafters would possibly strategy Grisham with some skepticism in 2026. –Scott White
A modest displaying by Torres in 2025 led him to just accept the Tigers’ qualifying provide slightly than testing the free agent market, and also you would possibly assume a return to Comerica Park is a nasty transfer for his Fantasy worth given its fame. But it surely truly performed nicely for right-handed hitters in 2025, and Torres batted .285 with a .449 slugging proportion there in comparison with .223 and .327 on the street. On steadiness, he carried out nicely beneath his .271 xBA and .452 xSLG, having delivered his finest common exit velocity in three years and a few of his finest stroll and strikeout numbers ever, so some higher luck would go a good distance towards redeeming him in Fantasy. He is not a surefire top-12 selection, although, even at a place as skinny as second base. –Scott White
One thing tells me that if Woodruff hadn’t gone into the offseason nursing a lat damage, he would not have needed to settle for the Brewers’ qualifying provide, as an alternative pursuing a multi-year deal. However now, he is again in prove-it mode after already overcoming a extra vital shoulder damage in close to miraculous style. Although the shoulder capsule surgical procedure that he underwent in 2023 took 3 mph off his fastball — usually a career-ender for a pitcher, notably one so fastball-reliant — he principally picked up the place he left off statistically, even delivering the very best strikeout fee of his profession. A brand new cutter is basically to credit score for saving him, and his fortunes rose and fell with its utilization. He’ll be loads motivated now that he is pitching for a contract once more, however he would have been price deciding on among the many prime 36 beginning pitchers both manner. –Scott White
The Cubs’ choice to say no Imanaga’s three-year, $57.5 million choice after the season makes extra sense now that we see the way in which all the things performed out. They in all probability suspected he’d settle for the $22.025 million qualifying provide, which he did, so now they nonetheless have him however with out the multi-year dedication.
The maneuver would appear to alleviate suspicions that he is cooked, which have been price entertaining provided that various key metrics fell off throughout his sophomore season, specifically his Okay/9 fee (from 9.0 to 7.3) and his swinging-strike fee (from 14.5 p.c to 11.9 p.c). It is type of deceptive to name it his sophomore season provided that he is 32, and his age contributed to these fears of decline as nicely. Nonetheless, he was efficient when wholesome, remaining a standout for WHIP specifically. Nobody will mistake him for an ace in 2026, however he needs to be drafted within the center rounds. –Scott White
Usually, a hitter signing with the Mariners would not be essentially the most favorable consequence given T-Cellular Park’s fame as a pitcher-friendly venue. However Naylor did not have any issues there after coming over in a midseason commerce with the Diamondbacks, batting .360 (32 for 89) with 5 homers and a 1.015 OPS within the Mariners’ house video games.
Furthermore, the Mariners appeared to unlock the base-stealer in him. His 11 stolen bases in 93 video games with the Diamondbacks have been stunning sufficient, however then he had 19 in simply 54 video games with the Mariners. Given his third percentile dash velocity, another staff might need put a cease to that, however the Mariners do not appear to care. He was succeeding, in any case. It is uncertain he steals 30 once more, which is why he stays solely eighth in my first base rankings, however a return to the Mariners improves Naylor’s possibilities of remaining a base-stealer in some capability. For extra, try Chris Towers’ full-length article. –Scott White
